Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-10-23
ACTIVE MILITARY.
A Large Number of Uniformed
Troops TO be Present.
A GREAT BUNCH OF FACTS.
Numerous Names, Dates, and Anecdotes
Suited TO the Occasion.

Here in Richmond in April, 1851,
Lee appeared before the Virginia Con-
vention, OF their invitation, and ac-
copied the command of the State forces
then being raised TO resist the coercion
of the seeding States 10y the Lincoln
Government. From this position he
passed into the Confederate army.
Upon the wounding of General Joseph
T.. Johnston, in 1862, he took charge
of the army here and fought the Seven
Days battles. From that time onward
Richmond was the pivotal point in every
move of Confederate strategy or de-
fence, and the city's name and Lees
are wool aud web of the same precious
history. Richmond WAS ever in his
mind, while her people were always
looking TO him in admiration and aifec-
ton, and it was great grief to him to
have TO give up the city. His own
surrender came a week afterwards.
From Appomattox Courthouse, by
reads filed with bis ragged AMI heart
broken soldiers returning 10 their ruin
cd homes, and victorious troops OF the
enemy occupying the country, Lee
came to Richmond, and going to his
residence, at No. 707 east Franklin
street, I, ioincd his family, AMI threw
off his soldiers uniform, never more ID
wear it. His battles were over, but as
the world learned with what meagre
forces he had opposed overwhelming
armies his fame spread in an ever
widening circle and year by year ex-
tends.
The glory of Lee belongs not alone
to Virginia, but to the South not to
the South only, but to America. IN
has purity and grandeur, in his modesty
in victory and majesty III defeat, he was
an honor to the age, aud while granite
and bronze are not needed to perpetuate
his memory, . monument is tho natural
expression Of peoples affections. A
memorial Of him is memorial OF every
officer and soldier who fought under
him. 1t is ORC man typifying thousands.
And here in RICHMOND, by common con
sent, is the place for it. 1t was his war
lone here he rose to great promI-
pence here the music OF his guns as
they kept the enemy at bay were heard
for years here Is the capital OF his ma
tive State here WAS the capital of the
Confederacy, and here sleep thirty
thousand OF his men, waiting the gene
raj resurrection, when they shall LOOK
upon Lis loved face again.
Yes, il there is 10 be "a Lee monument
Richmond is the place for it, aud that
there is 10 be one has been determined.
OF tie necessary funds $50, $50 are in
hand, and now that the site and the sculp-
tor have been fixed upon now that the
cornerstone 10 TO be laid, while yet
Thousands Of his veterans are living -
honor the occasion 10y their presence,
the rest Of tue money will be forth
coming, as the ceremonies OF tho day
Will waken memories OF the past and
fpur the people to q performance OF
their duty in this respect
CORNERSTONE FACTS.
The site OF the monument is just be-
youd the western line OF the corporate
l,nn,s OF Richmond, and 10 in the imme-
diaie neighborhood OF Richmond Col
lege.
Mercie, q French sculptor OF great
repute, is to furnish the models and plans
for the granite monument and bronze
horse aud rider. He has not yet COM
pleted them, 80 picture is not OBJ
iainable; but it is agreed that the
stone work and equestrian statue shall
be about the size OF those OF the
Washington monument in the Capitol
SQUIRE. The statue will be cast in
France. The monument will have
ornamentatons suitably TO treat the
history OF the struggle IN which Lee
gained bis eminence. Mercie's statu-
cite, approved in the main by the
Monument Association, but returned
10 him for further Improvements,
represents q thoroughbred Virginia
horse, checked up by the rider, aud
standing on all -four OF his feet. The rider
In Lee no ideal figure, but the serene
and majestic commander OF the Army
OF Northern Virginia appearing as II
dIawiDg rein for q moment to give On
order for putting some body of troops
in motion.
The corner stone OF this monument
will be laid at IL M. Thursday. All
the arrangements therefor have been
made under the management of Lee
Camp OF Confederate Veterans. Al
ready the passive foundation wals OF
the east and north sides OF the monu-
ment are appearing above ground. sal
the platforms for the Masons aud for
the orator and seats for tho invited
guests are in place while on grl,s
plot near the circle is rising plaster
statue OF Fame browning Lee with